It looks like should should look at warm, rather than cool colors -- think spicy -- cumin, curry, paprika.

extremely dark earth-tones... like a dark sage or burgundy

I would paint it royal blue but being careful it's not as dark as navy since you have the black counter and tub surround. Then just hang a couple large creamy colored paintings and bladow, it's the jazz era.

I just painted my bedroom Glidden's Palm Spring Tan. It's a nice warm brown that would go fantastic with those tiles. Check it out!

If the tile were a pair of khakis, the tub surround were a pair of black loafers, and the brushed chrome fittings were your favorite wristwatch - What shirt would you choose?

I don't think you'd choose tan, beige, pale grey or yellow - they would be too blah...

Would you choose French Blue?
White?
Pale Pink?
Coral?
Grass Green?
Plum?
Charcoal Grey?

I'd go a mid charcoal grey, to match the grey at the bottom of the picture. Use it on the verticle surfaces only and the horizontal ones (ceiling, over the sink) white. Then a big mirror over the sink to bring in lots of light. It would make the tiles sing.

I've seen similar colours used in beech kitchens with black/charcoal walls and it looks great. But only works in rooms where there's enough natural light coming in, and here you'd want to make sure there was more light tiles than dark walls.

The tile reminds me of sand... I would go with a nice blue that reminds me of the ocean and/or makes me think of the horizon. Add some fluffy white towels and a white shower curtain reminscent of the clouds and you've got yourself a day at the beach everytime you go to the bathroom.

The other route I would take is a warm white and add color with the towels and shower curtain.

I agree with the warm white. Maybe Navajo White from Ben Moore?

Don't try to start with a paint color! That is way too hard! Start with the shower curtain/towels etc. Find something you like that complements the tile and pull a wall color from the scheme that has emerged.

That said, I'm thinking a darker, warmer purple. Perhaps bepsf's Plum?

I am thinking go medium tone -- you have white, you have light in the tile and you have dark on the stone.
but regardless of what direction you go, make sure that it's a color that both you and your wife look good in. Otherwise, when you start your day and look in the mirror, you'll look not so attractive. And no one wants that.

ICI Dulux "Ginger Peachy" (PL27085) - a sort of light apricot-mango that changes with the light.

Hi everyone!

Thanks for the comments . We were in the process of moving in, and just got the internet connection in the new house.

the shower already has a glass door, so no help from the curtains.

i like aussiebird's suggestion of charcoal and white combination and plum too (although I am worried it maybe a bit dark).

Jyothi